KEY POINTS

• Oyo demolishes house used to hold kidnapped victims

• Police rescue Adelabu’s sister and twin sons unharmed

• Four suspects arrested, weapons and other items recovered

The Oyo State Government has demolished a building used as a hideout by a kidnapping gang following the successful rescue of the younger sister of former Minister of Power and 2027 governorship aspirant, Bayo Adelabu, and her twin children.

The demolished property, a three-bedroom bungalow located in the Lako Community along the Aiyegun–Anaye Road in Oluyole Local Government Area, was identified by security operatives as the location where the victims were held after their abduction.

The demolition, carried out on Monday, came days after an intelligence-led operation by the Nigeria Police Force led to the rescue of Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

Leading the demolition exercise, Oyo State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, said the action was part of the government’s broader strategy to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.

He explained that the demolition was intended to serve as a strong warning to landlords and property owners against renting out their buildings to individuals involved in criminal activities.

According to the commissioner, the government has also revoked ownership rights over the land where the building stood, stressing that the administration remains committed to protecting lives and ensuring public safety.

Mogbonjubola urged residents, landlords, estate managers, and housing agents to be more vigilant in monitoring the activities of tenants and visitors within their communities. He encouraged them to promptly report suspicious behaviour to security agencies.

Community Residents Raise Concerns

Speaking during the exercise, the Vice Chairman of the Ayegun-Lako Community Landlords Association, Matthew Olaiya, disclosed that the suspected kidnapper occupying the bungalow had only recently rented the property.

Olaiya noted that some unusual behaviours had been observed before the incident. According to him, the occupant frequently returned home late at night and would sometimes disappear for several days without explanation.

Although residents had noticed these movements, there was no indication at the time that the property was being used as a base for kidnapping operations.

Busayo John-Paul and her twin sons were kidnapped on June 3 while travelling along Elewura Street in the Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.

Investigators revealed that the kidnappers had carefully monitored the family for weeks before carrying out the attack.

The gang reportedly studied the family’s daily routines, vehicles, lifestyle, and the schools attended by the children. Police also uncovered evidence suggesting that the suspects attempted to recruit someone close to the family to provide insider information.

The victims were reportedly intercepted at about 7:30 a.m. after the kidnappers trailed their vehicle and forced it to stop before carrying out the abduction.

Following reports of the kidnapping, the Oyo State Police Command launched an intensive intelligence-driven operation on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.

The operation involved officers from the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, the Oyo State Police Command, and other specialised tactical units.

The breakthrough came with the arrest of a suspect identified as Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro,” who had already been on the police watchlist.

Investigators said information obtained from him exposed the wider kidnapping network and led to the arrest of another suspected gang member, Dare Oyedele, also known as “Solution.”

Further intelligence gathering, including the analysis of digital evidence, eventually led security operatives to the kidnappers’ hideout at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North.